Tick pheromones and uses thereof

Abstract

The subject invention provides materials and methods useful for tick control. The tick control methods of the subject invention are particularly advantageous because they utilize natural chemical signals (phermones) in combination with an acaricide. The use of environmentally friendly phermones makes it possible to use acaricides in a highly selective and efficient manner thereby reducing exposure of the environment to acaricides.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for the control of Ixodes ticks, which comprises administering to said ticks or their situs a composition comprising a fungal biocontrol agent that kills ticks and a chemical from tick excreta which causes ticks to aggregate wherein said aggregation chemical is applied prior to, or contemporaneous with, the application of said biocontrol agent so as to cause ticks to aggregate at the situs of said control agent, wherein said biocontrol agent is  Beauvaria bassiana.